Buy now pay later (BNPL) is a form of short-term financing that allows customers to purchase items immediately and pay for them over time through manageable installments. Typically, these loans enable consumers to split a purchase into four interest-free biweekly payments, with the first payment often due at the time of checkout.

Unlike traditional credit cards that may involve ongoing interest and hard credit inquiries, BNPL usually requires only basic personal information and is focused on smaller, immediate purchases both in-store and online. For example, a customer could divide a 200 dollar purchase into four 50 dollar payments. While this approach promotes affordability and can help shoppers avoid debt accumulation if paid on time, it is important for users to review terms for potential late fees. For merchants, offering these flexible financing options can lead to increased average order values and improved customer retention.